Pros

Integrated experience: WinZip 19's newly streamlined interface is almost identical to Windows Explorer's, for a fluid transition between browsing files on your computer and managing files on WinZip. You can switch back to the classic view, if you prefer.

Effortless setup: Getting your accounts to work with the new WinZip is relatively easy. Just log in and give the app permission to maintain your files on your preferred cloud service. In our tests, some hosts like Box and Google Drive took time to get everything situated, but the overall process went smoothly.

Manage, back up, and share: You can now migrate data across different clouds, and encrypt, compress, or even back up data from one dashboard. Zipping files is still as fast as you would expect. Additional features like PDF conversion, watermark addition, or image resizing during zipping allow you to quickly upload and share your work.

Security: Encrypting your ZIP file in the cloud provides an additional layer of defense in case your account is compromised. So even if data thieves snatch your files, they can't access them.

Cons

Classic view hides new features: The classic interface is a welcome feature for veteran users but is not designed with the new features in mind. Performing basic tasks, such as transferring files between cloud services, is a chore, making you dig through menus and tabs. Stick to the new UI unless you're really attached to the classic look.

Bottom Line

WinZip 19 demonstrates how the prominent utility has moved beyond compression and unzipping. There's plenty to like about the latest WinZip: the uncomplicated interface, the ability to bridge different cloud services, and file encryption. If you're looking to manage all your cloud storage from a single interface, the new WinZip 19 is an excellent choice.

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Publisher's Description

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From WinZip Computing:
Manage, protect and share your files in an all-new modern interface with WinZip. With rich new file management features--including browsing, copying, moving, renaming and deleting--and trusted compression, encryption and sharing, WinZip offers a whole new way to work with your files. Quickly browse local, network and cloud files. Drag and drop to add files to your zip. Easily choose options for encryption, PDF conversion, watermarking. Then save or share via cloud services, email, instant messaging and social media. New touch screen support puts the power of WinZip at your fingertips on almost any screen or device. It's everything you want to do with your files - and it is all in WinZip.

What's new in this version:

Easier zipping: Built-in local and cloud file management means it is easy to browse and select the files you want without leaving WinZip. Touch support puts the power of WinZip at your fingertips on any touch-enabled device or computer. WinZip 19 is also optimized for 2-in-1 computers, switching its layout automatically depending on whether you are using your system in tablet or notebook mode.

I have been using Winzip for about 20 years. It has always been a helpful tool to store and backup files.

Cons

The current version is boated (249 MB installed).
Several things are so annoying that each single one is enough to stop using Winzip:
Default view doesn't show the folder tree. Neither does classic view.
Selecting multiples folder with Shift+mouse click don't work anymore. Selecting with a mouse is required, with the risk of inadvertedly moving files.
A trivial function like pausing the unzip process is not there.
If there has been a problem (file path too long, the unzip stops and waits for user action. At the end a log file can be opened. Try to find the problem within 1000's of successful unzip's.
The proprietary zipx-format is not supported by several other tools. This means that a sort of vendor lock in is created which is never good.

Summary

Winzip used to be top.
I guess the current editor's rating is 'spectacular' because of the integration with cloud etc.
But i you don't require this, Winzip is a mediocre overpriced utility with basic functionality failing.
For me no Winzip anymore. There are plenty of other tools that are simpler, more intuitive and cheaper (or free).

Schedule jobs A+
Encryption A+
New folder view is nicer than it's been in previous versions, but file view is worse.

Cons

Hard to find tools and options that were critical to my use of Winzip in previous versions. The software has gone to far into the realm of eye candy for no real benefit.

Summary

I've used WinZip for 20 years. I'm a solo software developer. Winzip has been a critical tool. It's my version control and backup system. Yeah, I've tried formal version control software and other backup tools, but Winzip has never let me down. I happily paid for it even when money was tight. Every update was improvement that made my life better. When they add scheduled jobs, I thought I'd died and gone to heaven. Even when they went to the evil MS Ribbon interface, they left a classic view that let me continue to use the features in ways that I find far more efficient. Winzip isn't software that needs to look pretty; it needs to be useful. Pretty in addition to practical is fine. Pretty instead of practical is disappointing. Recent updates have increasingly hidden critical features. Version 19 as done away with a "real" classic view altogether. I've tried to adapt to it, but am going to downgrade and cancel my subscription. The straw that broke the camel's back? A nearly impossible-to-find feature to select certain files in an archive. So, pretty, but there is nothing in the current version--19, IIRC--that I don't already manage more easily myself, such as integrating my cloud back services.

Great product, but they need to tell you that it only works if you run it in Safe Mode. Then it removes all the offending adware beautifully. If not in Safe Mode, you might as well forget it...Just does some marginal improvement. After your computer is clean, it should do a good job of preventing new malware intrusions...I'll let you know.

mess your system by installing "suptab". this PUP terminates all of your browsers without asking first and blows up your works. changes your home-site and search engine. and not even asking for their installation. (checked up twice) funny thing is, I downloaded the installer from the official website and this happened.

Easy to use. Upgrade assurance has made my WinZip experience simple ad easy.
Small upgrade fee get new releases as they become available. I just ignore all the additional e-mails for fee downloads of system utilities and the like. I all ready have a slew of utilities (some free others not so) that perform most if not all of the features touted by these WinZip system utilities.

Program performs as it always has, great. can't say I use all the new fetures, but what I do use works perfectly.

Ordered and paid for 18.5 Pro with upgrade assurance. Tried to upgrade to 19 Pro, WinZip refuses to honor my purchased upgrade assurance. They have not responded to any of my follow on e-mails with purchase receipt information. Interesting enough, if previous version registration information is requested online, I get only for WinZip Courier 6.0 which was purchased several years ago. No registration info was provided for registered versions after that.

WinZip is no longer my preferred choice for a file compression utility

I looked up the 18.5 deal at the winzip site, that (Upgrade Assurance - 12 Months) at $8 is an automatic $8 charge EVERY YEAR,,, change your debit card like I do every 6 months and you will not get a bite on the rear,,,,

I bought winzip 18.5 at a reduced price a couple weeks ago, 11 14 14, I could not download because at all the goog links I tried, it was only set to load new 19. I emailed winzip ans they were very good about helping, but even they kept sending me links for 19. Finally ( I almost gave up ) I explained my purchase was for the 18. 5 version, they sent the right link and it worked out fine. I have to say the email replys were fast and very helpfull, but their mindset is for the new 19 version,,, dont give up,,,,,

fake you out with the free download which is really a tryware, so after the period expires, you can't use it. So, now I have to unload it for something really free. They just don't get that file compression technology is not enough o build a company on so they play these games and those like other people reported. Then when you see some of their canned positive reviews, it let's you know how really shady they've become... use it to bring in customers not cheat or hook them into buying stuff they don't want.

Summary

Forget the frustration, go elsewhere, they're just as good... its basic file compression for crying out loud.

For many years winzip gave their software away, times were good,,, now these companies are being bought out by greedy investors that want to make millions with stuff on the web. Gone r the Good old Days. I got the old version for $10 recently and thats fair, nothing is really free anymore, the trick is to get it at lowest price,,,

I bought winzip 18.5 at a reduced price a couple weeks ago, 11 14 14, I could not download because at all the goog links I tried, it was only set to load new 19. I emailed winzip ans they were very good about helping, but even they kept sending me links for 19. Finally ( I almost gave up ) I explained my purchase was for the 18. 5 version, they sent the right link and it worked out fine. I have to say the email replys were fast and very helpfull, but their mindset is for the new 19 version,,, dont give up,,,,,

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Full Specifications

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What's new in version 19.5

Easier zipping: Built-in local and cloud file management means it is easy to browse and select the files you want without leaving WinZip. Touch support puts the power of WinZip at your fingertips on any touch-enabled device or computer. WinZip 19 is also optimized for 2-in-1 computers, switching its layout automatically depending on whether you are using your system in tablet or notebook mode.

Rich file management: Save time with the easy-to-access file management features built into the new WinZip 19 interface. Copy, move, rename and delete local and cloud files with ease. Open, edit and print local files. Plus, see how much space your devices and cloud services have available. Do all this and more without having to leave WinZip.

Change the interface to suit your task: Easily change the WinZip 19 interface to hide or show the features you need. WinZip 19 displays zipping features by default, but you can easily switch to the file management pane when you want to work with your files. Like the WinZip you know? Just click to use the familiar ribbon.

Easily find the features you need: WinZip is more dynamic than ever with the new context-sensitive action pane that changes to display the right tools for the job. When you are zipping files, for example, Save and Share options appear automatically, so you can quickly select the destinations for your zip.

More flexible file conversion: Whether you are converting to PDF, resizing photos, adding watermarks or encrypting, you can select or change settings before, during or after you have created your zip. Plus, WinZip lets you choose whether the changes are applied to all the files in your zip or only to the individual files you have selected.

Streamlined sharing: Get easy access to all your sharing options in the new WinZip interface to quickly share by email, your clouds, instant messaging services or popular social sites.